SA Health policy breached by allowing two RAH stroke specialists to go on leave at same time

ALLOWING two RAH stroke specialists to go on leave at the same time next month breaches policy - and SA Health planned to pay a locum $50,000 for a fortnight to fill in.

• Two patients died while stroke specialists were on holiday
• Now they’re both going on holiday at the same time again
• Comment: The public deserves answers

ALLOWING two radiology stroke specialists to again take leave at the same time was a breach of policy, a “disappointed” Health Minister Stephen Wade has revealed.

He also said yesterday that SA Health had intended to pay $50,000 to a Melbourne locum to cover the crucial position at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for a fortnight. Dr Rebecca Scroop and Dr James Taylor will be away from July 1-10.

The last time both went on leave at the same time, the RAH was left without an INR specialist capable of suctioning blood clots from the brains of stroke victims.

Michael John Russell, 60, and Leslie Robert Graham, 81, died at the RAH in April last year from stroke while the radiologists were absent.

“A new policy on leave rosters was devised but was not followed on this occasion,” Mr Wade told Parliament.

Stroke patient Michael Russell. Picture supplied by family

SA Health Minister Stephen Wade. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“A more robust policy regarding leave approval and roster management was introduced early this year; however, on this occasion it was not followed correctly. As minister, I am very disappointed. A new campus clinical head has been appointed and will be commencing on 16 July. The first task will be to better manage co-ordination of annual leave amongst clinical staff.

“In relation to when I was first advised, I think I became aware late yesterday afternoon as the department was responding to a journalist who wrote this morning’s report.”

Mr Wade also revealed SA Health planned to pay a Melbourne locum $50,000 for a fortnight to fill in — but following an accident he is no longer able to fill the position, leaving Dr Lan-Anh Do to provide cover for the 10 days. Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said the government should cancel the leave.

“Stephen Wade has admitted that under his watch there was a breach of departmental policy and he only found out because of inquiries by The Advertiser,” he said.

“Patients deserve confidence the best clinicians are available in our hospitals when they need them. If leave needs to be rescheduled to ensure patients are looked after then the Minister should do that.”